We offer Perioperative RN courses

The mission of the SCC nursing program is to assist in meeting the needs of the community by preparing graduates
for entry-level practice in a variety of health care settings. The nursing program offers a high-quality and
student-centered educational curriculum which emphasizes critical thinking skills and promotes lifelong learning.
The program reflects the mission of Spokane Community College in its support of a diverse community of adult
learners.

Our curriculum provides the opportunity for students to move from one level to the next, including advancing to a Bachelor of Science in nursing or a master's degree
after graduation if the student desires.

This program of study includes both nursing and general education courses. Supervised clinical experience is provided in selected nursing areas.

RNs are employed in a variety of settings including hospitals, extended care centers, home health care agencies, physicians' offices, mental health facilities, and
corrections. RNs work under the direct supervision of a physician. New technologies are continually developing in the health care field, offering exciting
and challenging career opportunities.

Student Learning Outcomes

The department
is dedicated to the idea that our students will demonstrate four critical Student Learning Abilities as they relate to our institution
and the larger community: Responsibility, Communications, Problem Solving and Global Awareness.

Persons with Disabilities

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, accommodations for
students with disabilities will be considered at the student's request. The student will be required to register
with the Disability Support Services office and provide documentation of disability. Once the student is qualified
by the DSS Manager as having a disability, requested accommodations will be considered. Accommodations for the
classroom, laboratory, or clinical setting will be considered according to reasonableness. Accommodations that
compromise patient care, or that fundamentally alter the nature of the program or activity, are not considered
to be reasonable. A student denied accommodation may request an individualized determination to assure that the
denial is not a result of disability discrimination by contacting the Manager of Disability Support Services and
Testing at 533-7498. Contact the SCC Disability Support Services office to obtain a copy of the procedures for
appeal of an accommodation denial. Other than accommodation issues, procedures for student grievances including academic
dismissal are outlined in the following SCC website:
Addressing Student Concerns.

Clinical Requirements

Admission to the nursing program is a competitive admissions process. You will find more information about the competitive admission process by visiting the
Admissions Process links. Once all pre-requisite requirements are met, please contact the Health Sciences counselor in SCC Building 15 to review your
transcripts and be advised regarding the competitive admission scoring process.

Applications to the nursing program will be accepted from:

March 15 - April 15 for Fall admission

September 15 - October 15 for Spring Admission

Note: If the dates listed above fall on a weekend or holiday, the applications will be accepted the following business day.

What is the nursing program? (Click to open)

After completing the 1st quarter, the student is eligible to take the examination for nursing assistant certification.

After completing the 2nd quarter, the student may become employed as a Nurse Technician.

After completing the 4th quarter, the student is eligible to take the practical nurse licensing examination.

After completing the program, the graduate is eligible to register and take the nursing licensure exam: The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).

Do students have much experience taking care of patients?

Students begin patient care in the first quarter of the program. Beginning students take care of patients in
extended care facilities. In the second quarter of the program, they learn in acute care facilities, caring
for medical and surgical patients. Students then have experiences caring for maternity and newborn patients,
mental health patients, advanced and more complex medical-surgical patients, specialty areas, and patients in
a variety of settings.

How often are students admitted?

Students are admitted twice a year. One class is admitted fall quarter, and another in spring quarter.

How is the program approved?

As of January 29, 2016, the Spokane Community College Nursing Program has been placed on conditional approval by the Washington State Nursing Quality Assurance
Commission.

What is the nursing program's pass rate on the national licensure exam?

SCC NCLEX-RN First Time Pass Rates

Year

Graduate Cohort

NCLEX Pass Rate

2012-13

Spring 2013 (N=66)

80%

2013-14

Fall 2013 (N=47)

87%

Spring 2014

77%

2014-15

Fall 2014 (N=48)

65%

Spring 2015 (N=41)

85%

2015-16

Fall 2015

83%

What are the nursing program completion rates?

SCC Nursing Program Completion Data

Cohort

Graduated On-time

Graduated within 150%

Attrition Rate

Fall 2011 Entering Cohort (N=68)

81%

88%

13%

Spring 2012 Entering Cohort (N=60)

67%

82%

18%

Fall 2012 Entering Cohort (N=54)

69%

74%

26%

Spring 2013 Entering Cohort (N=56)

70%

77%

23%

Fall 2013 Entering Cohort (N=55)

66%

73%

27%

Spring 2014 Entering Cohort (N=57)

88%

93%

7%

Are the graduates able to find employment?

Our graduates are well-qualified for entry-level positions at a variety of health care facilities in the area.
They find employment in the health care industry upon graduation.

Employment rates for SCC graduates who responded to a survey six to twelve months after graduation were the following:

Fall 2014 Graduate Cohort - 87%

Spring 2015 Graduate Cohort - 86%

Fall 2015 Graduate Cohort - 87%

* Alumni Employed as RNs six to twelve months after graduation

What can I expect for a salary in this area?

The entry-level salary for certified nursing assistants is about 25 to 50 percent above current minimum wage.
The starting salary for licensed practical nurses is higher, and the entry-level salary for registered nurses
is approximately $28-30 per hour for work in an acute care setting. Opportunities for advanced income vary
greatly depending on the person’s skills, personality, work ethics, and employer.

How can I get further information and an application?

Contact the Counseling Center at (509) 533-7026 to
make an appointment with the counselor for the nursing program.

What is accreditation? (Click to open)

Accreditation "is a process of recognizing educational institutions for performance, integrity and quality
that entitles them to the confidence of the educational community and the public. In the United States, this
recognition is extended largely through nongovernmental, voluntary membership associations that establish
accreditation criteria, evaluate institutions against [those] criteria and approve institutions that meet the
criteria." (Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities)

SCC's nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

As of January 29, 2016, the Spokane Community College Nursing Program has been placed on conditional approval by the Washington State Nursing Quality Assurance
Commission.

What is the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)?

The ACEN is the entity that is responsible for the specialized accreditation of nursing education programs,
both postsecondary and higher degree, which offer either a certificate, a diploma, or a recognized
professional degree (clinical doctorate, master’s/post-master’s certificate, baccalaureate, associate,
diploma, and practical). - ACEN

How does program accreditation differ from program approval?

Program accreditation means a program meets specific national standards determined by an
accrediting body, such as ACEN.

Program approval means a program meets standards defined by state rules and regulations. In
the case of nursing, a program also must meet rules and regulations defined by the state Nurse Practice Act.
State program approval allows nursing graduates to sit for the national certification exam (NCLEX) to be
licensed as registered nurses.

In Washington, nursing program approval is determined by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance
Commission under the state Department of Health. This means SCC graduates can sit for the national
certification exam (NCLEX).

Is ACEN accreditation mandatory?

ACEN accreditation is optional, but a desirable credential for nursing programs to have. Accreditation indicates
to the general public and to the educational community that a nursing program has clear and appropriate educational
objectives and is working to achieve these objectives. Emphasis is placed upon the total nursing program and its
compliance with established standards and criteria in the context of its mission/philosophy as well as current and
future nursing practice. – ACEN

Why is ACEN accreditation important?

Although the process is voluntary, accreditation indicates a nursing program meets the ACEN's established standards
for instruction and student development. Federal facilities, such as veterans' hospitals, require that job applicants
graduate from a nationally accredited nursing program, and some colleges and universities have the same requirement
for transfer students.

Is graduation from a nationally accredited associate degree in nursing required to pursue a baccalaureate or master degree in nursing?

Not all schools have this requirement, but you should ALWAYS check the admission requirements of your desired
transfer school carefully.

SCC nursing faculty members believe there are varying levels of nursing practice that provide unique contributions to meet the health care needs of society. The Associate
in Nursing DTA/MRP degree program builds on the practical nurse foundation, guiding the graduate to become a Registered Nurse. The curriculum allows each student to move
from one level to the next including advancing to a Bachelor of Science, master's, or doctorate in nursing after graduation if the student desires.

In the nursing classes, the students have both supervised clinical experience and classroom theory. Students study introduction to nursing, medical-surgical nursing
including gerontology and pediatrics, prenatal nursing, mental health nursing, and beginning management/leadership concepts. Classes are generally scheduled between 7:30
AM and 5:30 PM Monday through Friday. Required clinical rotation hours vary and may include early morning (6:00 AM), evening, and weekend hours one or two days per week.

In addition to the nursing classes, students take courses in biology, algebra, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, general psychology, lifespan psychology,
English composition and liberal arts elective courses. Students must complete all prerequisite classes with a 2.5 or better before applying to the nursing program. Once all
perquisite requirements are met, please contact the Health Sciences counselor in SCC Building 15 to review your transcripts and be advised regarding the competitive
admission scoring process. Completion of required prerequisite courses with a cumulative 3.0 GPA or above and a minimum 2.5 grade in each course is required. Students are
admitted into the nursing program fall and spring quarters. Students receive an Associate in Nursing DTA/MRP degree upon completion of the six quarters of the program.

Our nursing program is built on a standard of excellence. SCC has had a nursing program since 1946 with the introduction of a
practical nurse program. The associate degree nursing program, which prepares the graduate for licensure as a registered nurse,
began in 1970. Part of the success of the nursing program can
be attributed to the fact that the students have access to a nursing practice laboratory, computer-assisted instruction, and a
variety of excellent clinical settings. The campus Learning Resources Center provides a wealth of information
for the student in the form of books, journals, DVDs, and electronic media. Students consistently practice the theories and skills learned in
the classroom in the lab and in the clinical settings.

Testimonials

Shawn Mielke (Graduated June 2010)

"I am grateful to SCC for opening up a very important doorway after graduation - one to my preferred
specialty! I was fortunate enough to be allowed to do my senior capstone on the SHMC psychiatric unit, where I was approached by
the nurse manager. This contact led to a supplemental position not long after graduation! It was, and continues to be, a very
positive experience. Thanks again, SCC!"

Laurie Lee Potts (Graduated June 2005)

"I am so thankful that I chose to attend SCC's nursing program to prepare for my career. They offer a wide variety of
hands-on experiences that support book knowledge as well as instructors who knew when I needed to be shoved and when I
needed to be hugged."

All course offerings are subject to change. The college cannot guarantee class offerings,
designated times or specific instructors - as funding levels and student interest may affect whether or not an
offering is available.